Report: Amazon planning bricks-and-mortar convenience stores

Amazon.com Inc. is expanding further into the grocery business with plans to add convenience stores to its operations along with curbside pickup for online purchases, The Wall Street Journal reported Oct. 11, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

The bricks-and-mortar stores would be used to sell perishable items such as milk and meat, the sources told the Journal. For items that have a longer shelf life, customers could use either their mobile phones or touchscreens posted around the store to place orders.

The stores are currently intended to serve only subscribers of the Amazon Fresh grocery delivery service, according to the report.

Amazon also is set to launch drive-in locations for picking up online grocery orders, the sources said, adding that the company is developing license plate-reading technology to allow for faster service.